Maintaining the Materials Handling workforce

According to BITA members there is an ongoing shortfall in the number of new recruits entering the materials handling industry, particularly in the crucial area of industrial truck maintenance. Accordingly BITA is encouraging all its members to raise awareness of the wide range of career opportunities available to school and college leavers, in an attempt to make good the shortfall and maintain a qualified workforce.

BITA proposes three ways in which member companies to take action:

• Careers Programmes Companies can improve their links with students and careers advisers by maintaining an ongoing Careers Programme targeting schools and colleges nationwide.
• Student Connections Companies can get involved with BITA's 'Student Connection Service', which allows students to submit their CVs for circulation with BITA members. (Contact BITA for more details.)
• Vacancy Alerts If your company has vacancies or other opportunities for school or colleges leavers, use the form available within the Members' Only area to supply your details. Once you have logged in, use the pop-out navigation menu buttons and look for the one entitled 'Member Vacancies'.

Careers in Materials Handling

If you are interested in joining a fast-paced, world-leading industry, then you may like to consider one of the many career opportunities available within the UK materials handling industry.

Here is a selection of links to BITA member companies currently offering careers and training information:

Barloworld
Jungheinrich 
Still 
Toyota Material Handling 

The JCB Academy

BITA member JCB is planning to build a multi-million pound Academy that would enable young people from across Staffordshire and Derbyshire to pursue careers in engineering and manufacturing.